Compressor capacity is like computer memory. Software (or in your case -
air tools) magically expand to consume all that is available. Whatever
you buy, you always seem to need more down the road.

If you only have a limited amount of power (115v), it takes a long time
to fill up the tank. If the tank is large (60 gallons), you can wait a
while and fill it up and then work for a while until you draw down the
tank and have to wait for the compressor to catch up again. Portable
tanks (20 gallons or less) would require a large compressor head to keep
up with large capacity air tools (sanders, production paint sprayers)
because there is so little volume of air that can be stored in a small
tank. However, small tanks tend to have small heads. Large tanks tend to
have large heads. The "contractor" models are usually tuned to one
purpose - air nailers. They don't run other tools well. Most are also
noisy as hell.

An all around compromise is the "5 horsepower" 30 gallon (sometimes
listed as 32 gallon) upright units under the Coleman, Craftsman and
other names sold at some warehouse clubs and Sears. They are about $225
- $260. I put "5 horsepower" in quotes because these units are 115v. The
max HP from 15A of 115 is around 1.5HP. So, these units are 5 horsepower
"equivalent". They have a different compressor head design that
supposedly pushes more volume of air. In reality, a true 5 horse, twin
cylinder, multi-belt commercial compressor would dance circles around
these units.

But they are a good compromise of size, volume, and price. They have
wheels and can be toted around in the back of an SUV or pickup. Take 2
folks to onload and offload though. You could work one air tool pretty
much nonstop. Paint one side of a van without stopping. Paint a small
car with some pacing. I have one and it seems to keep up with me,
however, I have not tried to tackle a big job (paint a car).

By the way, if you want to fill a strut, you need HIGH PRESSURE (like
220 lbs min) and very low volume. These large compressors put out 125lbs
max. Oddly enough, you can fill struts with the cheapo little plastic
12v units at the auto parts store if you unload (extend) the strut
COMPLETELY. For my Cherokee 140, that means a 36" length of 3/4" pipe
propping up a wing at the jack point. Takes about 200lbs. to fill the
(completely extended) strut to eventually hold up the plane to its
recommended 4.5 inches. The car it is plugged into must be running with
the alternator working or else they bog down and quit just shy of
getting the job done. Let the wing drop while you do this operation and
you get a face/body/plane full of 5606 fluid (guess how I know).

Good Luck,
Mike

Martin Kosina wrote:
Hi,

I am thinking about getting a small air compressor for my hangar, any
suggestions what to look for (dry vs wet pump, gal. capacity, CFM
rating, etc.). I expect light, occasional use - tire & strut
inflation, some drilling, fiberglass grinding, small-scale painting
(fairing repair, etc.) and limited use of maybe 2X rivet gun. I am
specifically wondering if any of the smaller "Husky" compressors sold
by Home Crappo would do the job, don't want to spend big $$$ or get
something big I can't easily take home once in a while.

Thanks !

Martin


__________________________________________________ _____________________________
Posted Via Uncensored-News.Com - Accounts Starting At $6.95 - http://www.uncensored-news.com
The Worlds Uncensored News Source